In this episode of the Denison Forum Podcast, Dr. Mark Turman sits down with Dr. Ryan Denison, Senior Editor for Theology at Denison Forum and co-author of their new resource, Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. Together, they explore what Scripture teaches about identity, how sin distorts our understanding of ourselves, and why recognizing both personal and collective identity in Christ is vital in today’s culture. In a world that prioritizes individualism, they offer biblical insight to help us live as salt and light, reflecting God’s truth in a culture searching for meaning.

• (03:06): Defining identity from a biblical perspective
• (05:49): The biblical foundation of identity
• (13:04): The impact of sin on identity
• (20:42): The collective nature of sin and identity
• (39:42): The role of the church and community in shaping identity
• (50:17): Conclusion and next steps

• Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters
• Identity Simplified Resource from Christian Parenting 
• What does the Bible say about identity? - Part 2

Ryan Denison, PhD, is the Senior Editor for Theology at Denison Forum. Ryan writes The Daily Article every Friday and contributes writing and research to many of the ministry’s productions. He holds a PhD in church history from BH Carroll Theological Institute after having earned his MDiv at Truett Seminary. He’s authored The Path to Purpose, What Are My Spiritual Gifts?, How to Bless God by Blessing Others, 7 Deadly Sins, and coauthored Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters and has contributed writing or research to every Denison Forum book.

Mark Turman, DMin, serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of The Denison Forum Podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries.

Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco.

Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for 35 years, including 25 years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas.

Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.